Frustration over potty training....

[MsMesha]

It's always that last leg that gets you tired and frustrated.......

Leo is 85% potty trained. In my opinion, this means he goes outside(in the spot designated for him 85% of the time) it's this last 15% that is driving me crazy!! It seems as though he "knows" where to go but I don't understand why he doesn't go there. We have him trained to the point where he will walk over to the back door and wait for a approx. 30 sec for one of us to let him out. After 30 sec. he goes somewhere else in the house. I understand that when he goes to the door that's his way of signaling us that he needs to get out and do his business. But today, twice, didn't even think of going near that door and when I looked at him and caught him doing it, he immediately stopped and ran over to the door and I let him out. I am so frustrated. It seems as though he knows where to go so why isn't he going there today? Maybe it's today and tomorrow we will be back into the swing of things, but I like consistency. Besides being patient with him, what else can I do? Also, how can I get him to "bark" when he steps to the door rather than just sit there?

[nern]

I found it easier to put the dogs on a potty schedule. When Natalie was a puppy and began getting the idea that outside was the "right" place to go, I started taking her outside every 3hrs, then every 4hrs, ect.

You could teach him to bark (or jingle a bell attatched to the door) by asking him to speak right before you open the door for a day or two. Then just wait at the door until he speaks without asking him to, he should quickly catch on to the concept. The only problem with this is that some dogs learn to "speak" just to gain access to the outside, not necessarily because they have to eliminate.

[MsMesha]

Ok,
I am new to all this. How on earth do I get this puppy to "bark" for me? Do I make a barking sound, please help me? I believe it can be done, I just need a simple rundown of getting that response from him. On another note....

When Leo used the potty in the house I had just taken him out and we were out there for approx. 15min getting some fresh air and giving him time, so I thought, to do his business. Both times we had just re-entered the house no more than 10 min. and he "went". I will admit when he did #2 on the kitchen floor, I was washing dishes and happened to look back to see where he was and he was "going", I firmly said, "Leo" and he stopped and went to the back door and finished outside. Do you think I scared him by firmly calling his name? After a goodnight's rest I have a newer prospective on it........when I was potty training my kids, ever so often they would have an accident until potty training was completely accomplished.......so I guess its the same premise here. I also realized last night that dogs get used to certain things.

For the last week or so I have had his crate in my room and he sleeps in it. Last night my daughter wanted him to sleep in her bed with her. He "napped" in her bed with her and then woke up wanting to be placed in his crate. Boy am I learning new things!!